Aims
The aims of the teaching and study of sciences are to encourage and enable students to:
·
develop inquiring
minds and curiosity about science and the natural world
·
acquire
knowledge, conceptual understanding and skills to solve problems and make
informed decisions in scientific and other contexts
·
develop skills of
scientific inquiry to design and carry out scientific investigations and
evaluate scientific evidence to draw conclusions
·
communicate
scientific ideas, arguments and practical experiences accurately in a variety
of ways
·
think
analytically, critically and creatively to solve problems, judge arguments and
make decisions in scientific and other contexts
·
appreciate the
benefits and limitations of science and its application in technological
developments
·
understand the
international nature of science and the interdependence of science, technology
and society, including the benefits, limitations and implications imposed by
social, economic, political, environmental, cultural and ethical factors
·
demonstrate
attitudes and develop values of honesty and respect for themselves, others, and
their shared environment.
Objectives
The objectives of sciences listed below are final objectives and they describe what students should be able to do by the end of the course. These objectives have a direct correspondence with the final assessment criteria, A–F (see “Sciences assessment criteria”).
A :One world
This objective refers to enabling students to understand the interdependence between science and society. Students should be aware of the global dimension of science, as a universal activity with consequences for our lives and subject to social, economic, political, environmental, cultural and ethical factors.
At the end of the course, and within local and global
contexts, students should be able to:
·
describe and
discuss ways in which science is applied and used to solve local and global
problems
·
describe and
evaluate the benefits and limitations of science and scientific applications as
well as their effect on life and society
·
discuss how
science and technology are interdependent and assist each other in the
development of knowledge and technological applications
·
discuss how
science and its applications interact with social, economic, political,
environmental, cultural and ethical factors.
B :Communication in science
This objective refers to enabling students to develop their communication skills in science. Students should be able to understand scientific information, such as data, ideas, arguments and investigations, and communicate it using appropriate scientific language in a variety of communication modes and formats as appropriate.
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
·
communicate scientific
information using a range of scientific language
·
communicate
scientific information using appropriate modes of communication
·
present
scientific information in a variety of formats, acknowledging sources as
appropriate
·
demonstrate
honesty when handling data and information, acknowledging sources as
appropriate
·
use where
appropriate a range of information and communication technology applications to
access, process and communicate scientific information.
C :Knowledge and understanding of science
This objective refers to enabling students to understand the main ideas and concepts of science and to apply them to solve problems in familiar and unfamiliar situations. Students are expected to develop critical and reflective thinking and judge the credibility of scientific information when this is presented to them.
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
·
recognize and
recall scientific information
·
explain and apply
scientific information to solve problems in familiar and unfamiliar situations
·
analyse
scientific information by identifying components, relationships and patterns,
both in experimental data and ideas
·
discuss and
evaluate scientific information from different sources (Internet, newspaper
articles, television, scientific texts and publications) and assess its
credibility.
D: Scientific inquiry
This objective refers to enabling students to develop
scientific inquiry skills to design and carry out scientific investigations.At
the end of the course, students should be able to:
·
define the
problem or research question to be tested by a scientific investigation
·
formulate a
hypothesis and explain it using logical scientific reasoning
·
design scientific
investigations that include variables and controls, material/equipment needed,
a method to be followed, data to be collected and suggestions for its analysis
·
evaluate the
method, commenting on its reliability and/or validity andSuggest improvements
to the methods
E: Processing data
This objective refers to enabling students to record, organize and process data. Students should be able to collect and transform data by numerical calculations into diagrammatic form. Students should be able to analyse and interpret data and explain appropriate conclusions.
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
·
collect and
record data using appropriate units of measurement
·
organize and
transform data into numerical and diagrammatic forms, including mathematical
calculations and visual representation (tables, graphs and charts)
·
present data in a
variety of ways using appropriate communication modes and conventions (units of
measurement)
·
analyse and interpret data by
identifying trends, patterns and relationships.
·
draw conclusions
supported by scientific explanations and a reasoned interpretation
interpretation of analysis of data.
F :Attitudes
in science
This objective goes beyond science and refers to encouraging attitudes and dispositions that will contribute to students’ development as caring and responsible individuals and members of the society.
This
objective is set in the context of the science class but will pervade other
subjects and life outside school. It includes notions of safety and
responsibility when working in science as well as respect for and collaboration with
others and their shared environment.
During the course, students should:
·
carry out
scientific investigations using materials and techniques safely and skillfully
·
work effectively
as members of a team, collaborating, acknowledging and supporting others as
well as ensuring a safe working environment
·
show respect for
themselves and others, and deal responsibly with the living and non-living
environment.
